Device support and trigger apparatus

ABSTRACT

A device support and trigger apparatus includes a handle, a frame member attached to the handle, a cage member, and a triggering assembly including a trigger section and an actuation section. The cage member rigidly or pivotally connected to the frame member accommodates a device. The cage member can be rigidly positioned in an upright position or can be pivotally rotated to position the device in an upright position or an inverted position. The trigger section is pulled using one hand to allow the actuation section to contact and actuate an activation button of the device positioned in the upright position in front of the handle. A push rod assembly of the device support and trigger apparatus is pushed using one hand to push the trigger section to allow the actuation section to contact and actuate the activation button of the device positioned in the inverted position above the handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisionalpatent application No. 61/874,254 titled “Handle and trigger assemblythat enables one handed activation of the shutter button for GoProCameras and Housings”, filed in the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice on Sep. 5, 2013. The specification of the above referenced patentapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Modern day cameras, for example, a GoPro® camera of GoPro, Inc., videocameras, etc., are compact and flexible enough to allow the cameras tobe mounted on a variety of tripods and camera mounts. These cameras aregenerally housed in a housing of the camera mount and tightly held tothe camera mount using a fastener. When a user uses such a camera in oroutside of the housing of the camera mount, the user typically has todepress a shutter release button of the camera with one hand whileholding the handle of the camera mount in the other hand. This makes itdifficult for the user to control the timing for the activation of theshutter release button of the camera. Moreover, such a configurationmakes it difficult for the user to properly frame a shot and to steadilyfocus the camera to capture photographs or videos. Furthermore, mostcamera mounts have their mounting sections positioned above a topsection of the handle which makes it difficult for the user to balancethe weight of the camera while taking a steady shot and to controlelectronic settings of the camera. The user may also wish to positionthe camera in an upright position to capture still images and/or movingimages or videos of objects in front of them, or in an inverted positionto capture self portrait still images and/or moving images or videos.

Hence, there is a long felt but unresolved need for a device support andtrigger apparatus that can be held in one hand, that positions a device,for example, a camera in a housing in front of a handle to enableenhanced shot framing, positioning, balance, stability, and control, andthat comprises a single pivot hinge trigger assembly for actuating anactivation button of the device using the same one hand. Furthermore,there is a need for a device support and trigger apparatus that allowsthe device to be inverted to capture self portrait still images and/ormoving images or videos with one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further disclosed in the detailed descriptionof the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key oressential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The apparatus disclosed herein addresses the above stated needs for adevice support and trigger apparatus that can be held in one hand, thatpositions a device, for example, a GoPro® camera of GoPro, Inc., in ahousing in front of a handle to enable enhanced shot framing,positioning, balance, stability, and control, and that comprises asingle pivot hinge trigger assembly for actuating an activation buttonof the device using the same one hand. The apparatus disclosed hereinalso allows the device to be inverted to capture self portrait stillimages and/or moving images or videos with one hand. The device supportand trigger apparatus disclosed herein does not require a user to modifyelectronic menu settings of the device in order for the device tofunction in a typical manner in multiple positions. The device supportand trigger apparatus that allows the device to be triggered in anupright position and an inverted position is herein referred to as a“flippable device support and trigger apparatus”. The flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus disclosed herein allows a user to capturestill images and/or moving images or videos of objects or an environmentin front of the user, and also self portrait still images and/or movingimages or videos.

The flippable device support and trigger apparatus comprises a handle, aframe member, a cage member, a triggering assembly, and a push rodassembly. The frame member is fixedly attached to an upper end of thehandle. The frame member comprises a support section and arms. The armsextend from opposing ends of the support section. The cage member ispivotally connected to the arms of the frame member. The cage membercomprises a receptacle configured to accommodate a device, for example,a camera, a smart phone, etc. The cage member is configured to bepositioned at a predefined angle with respect to the frame member andpivotally rotated to one of multiple positions, for example, an uprightposition in front of the handle, an inverted position above the handle,etc., to position the device, for example, in the upright position infront of the handle or in the inverted position above the handle. Thetriggering assembly is configured to operably communicate with thedevice accommodated in the receptacle of the cage member. The triggeringassembly comprises a trigger section and an actuation section. Thetrigger section is pivotally connected to the actuation section at anotch positioned on the support section of the frame member. Theactuation section extends above the receptacle of the cage member and isconfigured to contact an activation button of the device. A user pullsthe trigger section of the triggering assembly using one hand to bringthe actuation section of the triggering assembly in contact with theactivation button of the device to actuate the activation button of thedevice when the cage member with the accommodated device is positionedin the upright position in front of the handle, for example, forcapturing still images and/or moving images or videos of one or moreobjects or an environment in front of the user.

The push rod assembly comprises a rod member and a push button. The rodmember is inserted through an opening in the handle to contact thetrigger section of the triggering assembly. The push button is operablyconnected to a distal end of the rod member. The push button pushes thetrigger section of the triggering assembly via the rod member whenpressed using one hand, to bring the actuation section of the triggeringassembly in contact with the activation button of the device to actuatethe activation button of the device when the cage member with theaccommodated device is positioned in the inverted position above thehandle, for example, for capturing self portrait still images and/ormoving images or videos. The triggering assembly can therefore actuatethe activation button of the device not only in the upright position ordown position, but also in the inverted or upward position, for example,for capturing still images and/or moving images or videos of one's selfin an environment.

In an embodiment, the device support and trigger apparatus allows thedevice to be triggered only in an upright position to allow a user tocapture still images and/or moving images or videos of objects or anenvironment in front of the user. This embodiment of the device supportand trigger apparatus is herein referred to as a “non-flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus”. The non-flippable device support andtrigger apparatus is free of a push rod assembly. In this embodiment,the cage member is rigidly connected to the arms of the frame member inan upright position in front of the handle to accommodate the device inthe upright position in front of the handle to allow a user to capturestill images and/or moving images or videos of objects or an environmentin front of the user using the triggering assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention,exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings.However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods andstructures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or astructure referenced by a numeral in a drawing carries over to thedescription of that method step or structure shown by that same numeralin any subsequent drawing herein.

FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a right side perspective view of aflippable device support and trigger apparatus.

FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus.

FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing a cage memberpositioned in an upright position in front of a handle of the flippabledevice support and trigger apparatus and accommodating a device in theupright position in front of the handle.

FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage memberpositioned in an inverted position above the handle and accommodatingthe device in the inverted position above the handle.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus.

FIG. 4A exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the flippabledevice support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage member positionedin an upright position in front of the handle.

FIG. 4B exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus when the cage member is positioned in anupright position.

FIG. 4C exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus when the cage member is positioned in anupright position.

FIG. 4D exemplarily illustrates a right side elevation view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage memberpositioned in an upright position in front of the handle.

FIG. 4E exemplarily illustrates a left side elevation view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage memberpositioned in an upright position in front of the handle.

FIG. 4F exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the flippabledevice support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage member positionedin an inverted position above the handle.

FIG. 4G exemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus when the cage member is positioned in aninverted position.

FIG. 4H exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus when the cage member is positioned in aninverted position.

FIG. 4I exemplarily illustrates a right side elevation view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing the cage memberpositioned in an inverted position above the handle.

FIGS. 5A-5B exemplarily illustrate left side perspective views of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing actuation of atriggering assembly of the flippable device support and triggerapparatus for actuating an activation button of a device positioned in areceptacle of the cage member in an upright position in front of thehandle.

FIGS. 6A-6B exemplarily illustrate left side elevation views of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus, showing actuation of thetriggering assembly for actuating an activation button of a devicepositioned in the receptacle of the cage member in an inverted positionabove the handle.

FIGS. 7A-7B exemplarily illustrate perspective views of an embodimentshowing a non-flippable device support and trigger apparatus.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for triggering a device in an uprightposition using one hand.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for triggering a device in an uprightposition and an inverted position using one hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1A-1B exemplarily illustrate a right side perspective view and aleft side perspective view of a flippable device support and triggerapparatus 100 a respectively. The flippable device support and triggerapparatus 100 a disclosed herein is used to mount and trigger a device201 exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B. As used herein, the term“device” refers to any electronic device or mechanical device which hasan external activation button. The device 201 is, for example, a camerasuch as a GoPro® camera of GoPro, Inc., a video camera, a mobile phonewith an in-built camera, a smart phone, any still image or moving imagecapture device, etc.

The flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a disclosedherein comprises a handle 101, a frame member 102, a cage member 105, atriggering assembly 107, and a push rod assembly 108. A user uses thehandle 101 to hold the flippable device support and trigger apparatus100 a. The handle 101 is configured to be held by the user in one hand.The frame member 102 is configured, for example, as an asymmetricalupper plate fixedly connected to an upper end 101 a of the handle 101.The frame member 102 supports the cage member 105 in front of the handle101. The frame member 102 is a horizontal fitting element configured topivotally connect the cage member 105 and the triggering assembly 107.The cage member 105 is configured, for example, as a flip cage and ispivotally connected to the arms 102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102via hinge elements 104 a and 104 b respectively. The arms 102 a and 102b of the frame member 102 extend from a support section 103 of the framemember 102. The cage member 105 pivotally rotates about a pivotal axisX-X. The cage member 105 comprises opposing walls 105 a and 105 b and abase section 105 c that define a receptacle 106. The device 201 ismounted in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105. The opposing walls105 a and 105 b and the base section 105 c of the cage member 105surround the perimeter of the device 201 on three sides 201 a, 201 b,and 201 c of the device 201 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3. Thetriggering assembly 107 triggers an external activation button 202exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A, for example, a shutter releasebutton of the device 201. The push rod assembly 108 is inserted throughthe handle 101 and is in communication with the triggering assembly 107to actuate the triggering assembly 107 in an opposing direction whencompared to a typical triggering action of the triggering assembly 107as disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 2A-2B, FIGS. 5A-5B,and FIGS. 6A-6B.

FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a, showing a cagemember 105 positioned in an upright position in front of the handle 101and accommodating a device 201, for example, a camera in the uprightposition in front of the handle 101. As used herein, “upright position”refers to a typical vertical position of the cage member 105 or thedevice 201, for example, a camera with a lens of the camera facing awayfrom the user towards an object in front of the user and the lens. FIG.2B exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of the flippabledevice support and trigger apparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105positioned in an inverted position or in a flipped orientation above thehandle 101 and accommodating the device 201 in the inverted positionabove the handle 101. As used herein, “inverted position” refers to anangled or flipped position of the cage member 105 or the device 201, forexample, a camera, where the cage member 105 or the device 201 is turnedor flipped to an angle in the range of, for example, about 225° to about270° with respect to the frame member 102, to face a user such that thelens of the camera faces towards the user while the user holds thecamera. The frame member 102 is fixedly attached to the upper end 101 aof the handle 101. The frame member 102 comprises a support section 103and arms 102 a and 102 b as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A. The arms102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102 extend from opposing ends 103 aand 103 b of the support section 103 of the frame member 102respectively.

The cage member 105 is pivotally connected to the arms 102 a and 102 bof the frame member 102. The cage member 105 comprises a receptacle 106configured to accommodate the device 201. The cage member 105 isconfigured to be positioned at a predefined angle with respect to theframe member 102. For example, in the upright position, the cage member105 is positioned at 90° with respect to the frame member 102. Inanother example, in the inverted position, the cage member 105 ispositioned in the range of about 225° to about 270° with respect to theframe member 102. The cage member 105 is further configured to bepivotally rotated about the pivotal axis X-X to one of multiplepositions, for example, the inverted position above the handle 101, theupright position in front of the handle 101, etc., to position thedevice 201, for example, in the inverted position above the handle 101as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B, or in the upright position infront of the handle 101 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The triggering assembly 107 is configured to operably communicate withthe device 201 accommodated in the receptacle 106 of the cage member105. The triggering assembly 107 comprises a trigger section 109 and anactuation section 110. The trigger section 109 is pivotally connected tothe actuation section 110 at a notch 111 positioned on the supportsection 103 of the frame member 102. The pivotal connection between thetrigger section 109 and the actuation section 110 provides a singlepivot point activation mechanism for activating the device 201 in twopositions, that is, in the upright position and the inverted position.The actuation section 110 of the triggering assembly 107 extends abovethe receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 and is configured to contactan activation button 202 of the device 201. The trigger section 109 ofthe triggering assembly 107 is configured to be pulled using one hand tobring the actuation section 110 of the triggering assembly 107 incontact with the activation button 202 of the device 201 to actuate theactivation button 202 of the device 201 when the cage member 105 withthe accommodated device 201 is positioned in the upright position infront of the handle 101 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2A.

The push rod assembly 108 comprises a rod member 112 and a push button113. The rod member 112 is inserted through an opening 126 in the handle101 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, to contact the trigger section109 of the triggering assembly 107. The push button 113 is operablyconnected to one end 112 a of the rod member 112. The push button 113 isconfigured to push the trigger section 109 of the triggering assembly107 via the rod member 112 when pressed using one hand to bring theactuation section 110 of the triggering assembly 107 in contact with theactivation button 202 of the device 201 to actuate the activation button202 of the device 201 when the cage member 105 with the accommodateddevice 201 is positioned in the inverted position above the handle 101.

The flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a disclosedherein therefore allows the device 201 to be triggered in two positions,for example, by pulling of the trigger section 109 of the triggeringassembly 107 using an index finger of one hand when the cage member 105with the accommodated device 201 is in the upright position, and by thepushing of the push rod assembly 108 using the thumb of the same onehand when the cage member 105 with the accommodated device 201 is in theinverted position. In an embodiment, the device 201 can be triggered inone or both positions, for example, for capturing still images and/ormoving images or videos in one or both positions.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus 100 a. In an embodiment, the handle 101 ofthe flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a comprises ahandle frame 114, a first segment 115, and a second segment 116. Thefirst segment 115 is, for example, a left handle insert, and the secondsegment 116 is, for example, a right handle insert. The first segment115 and the second segment 116 are adjoined to each other within a space114 a defined in the handle frame 114. The handle 101 is, for example,of a generally oblong shape. In an embodiment, the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus 100 a disclosed herein further comprisesan intermediate member 117 fixedly attached to and extending from thehandle 101. The intermediate member 117 comprises one or more throughholes 118 to fixedly attach to the frame member 102 using one or morefastening members 119, for example, #4-40× 7/16″ inch stainless steelflat head cap screws. The frame member 102 is positioned on theintermediate member 117, and the fastening members 119 are firstinserted into the through holes 103 c of the frame member 102 and thenthrough the through holes 118 of the intermediate member 117 to connectthe frame member 102 to the intermediate member 117. In an embodiment,the frame member 102 comprising the support section 103 and the arms 102a and 102 b is of a generally U shape or a flat asymmetrical horseshoeshape.

In an embodiment, the cage member 105 is generally U shaped asexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3. The cage member 105 comprises areceptacle 106 of, for example, a generally U shape for accommodatingthe device 201. In an embodiment, the cage member 105 comprises at leasttwo openings 120 a and 120 b configured to be pivotally connected to thearms 102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102 via the hinge elements 104a and 104 b respectively, using at least two tension fasteners 121 a and121 b, for example, M5×10 stainless steel button head cap screws or aquick release fastener fastened into the openings 120 a and 120 b. Thetension fasteners 121 a and 121 b are inserted through the openings 120a and 120 b of the cage member 105 and through the openings 122 a and122 b of the hinge elements 104 a and 104 b respectively, to pivotallyconnect the cage member 105 to the frame member 102. The cage member 105pivotally rotates about the pivotal axis X-X exemplarily illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1B. The pivotal axis X-X passes through the openings 120 a and120 b of the cage member 105.

The two tension fasteners 121 a and 121 b are tightened to hold the cagemember 105 in one of the positions, for example, the upright position orthe inverted position under a tension at the arms 102 a and 102 b of theframe member 102. The two tension fasteners 121 a and 121 b are loosenedto release the tension from the cage member 105 and allow the pivotalrotation of the cage member 105 about the pivotal axis X-X andrepositioning of the cage member 105 with respect to the frame member102, and then are re-tightened to hold the cage member 105 in the newposition. Consider an example where the cage member 105 and the framemember 102 are held together by two tension fasteners 121 a and 121 b,for example, button head cap screws. These button head cap screws createthe tension that holds the cage member 105 in the upright position andthe inverted position. In order to rotate the cage member 105, thebutton head cap screws are loosened, the cage member 105 is rotated, andthen the button head cap screws are re-tightened. In an embodiment, asingle tension fastener, tensioner or detent, for example, 121 a or 121b, is used to secure the cage member 105 to the frame member 102 inposition. In another embodiment, a double tension fastener, tensioner ordetent (not shown) is used to secure the cage member 105 to the framemember 102 in position. For purposes of illustration, the detaileddescription refers to tension fasteners being button head cap screws,for example, 121 a and 121 b, and single or double tension fastenersused to create the tension to lock the cage member 105 in the uprightposition and the inverted position; however the scope of the flippabledevice support and trigger apparatus 100 a disclosed herein is notlimited to the tension fasteners being button head cap screws, forexample, 121 a and 121 b, and single or double tension fasteners, butmay be extended to include other types of fasteners, quick releasemechanisms, and functionally equivalent structures that can be used forcreating the tension to lock the cage member 105 in the upright positionand the inverted position.

In an embodiment, the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 isconfigured in one of multiple shapes and sizes to accommodate any device201 of any shape and size. The cage member 105 can be configured orshaped to mount other devices of multiple shapes and sizes, for example,other brands of still image cameras, video cameras, mobile phones within-built cameras, smart phones, music players, etc. The device 201, forexample, a GoPro® camera is fastened to the receptacle 106 of the cagemember 105 using a device fastener 301, for example, a screw fastenercommercially supplied along with a GoPro® camera. The triggeringassembly 107 comprises the trigger section 109 and the actuation section110. The trigger section 109 is pivotally connected to the actuationsection 110. An O-ring member 123, for example, a spring return element,is coupled with a fastener screw 124 and a washer 125 to pivotallyconnect the trigger section 109 and the actuation section 110 at thenotch 111 positioned on the support section 103 of the frame member 102.The fastener screw 124 is, for example, a #4-40×½″ inch stainless steelbutton head cap screw. The washer 125 is, for example, a #4 stainlesssteel washer.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, the push rod assembly 108comprises a rod member 112 and a push button 113. The rod member 112 is,for example, an elongate rod. The push button 113 is, for example, athumb button configured to be pushed by a thumb of a user. The rodmember 112 is inserted through an opening 126 in the handle 101 tooperably communicate with the trigger section 109 of the triggeringassembly 107 as disclosed in the detailed description of FIG. 2A-2B.

FIGS. 4A-4I exemplarily illustrate different elevation views of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a. FIG. 4Aexemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105positioned in an upright position in front of the handle 101. FIG. 4Bexemplarily illustrates a top plan view of the flippable device supportand trigger apparatus 100 a when the cage member 105 is positioned in anupright position. FIG. 4C exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a when the cagemember 105 is positioned in the upright position. FIG. 4D exemplarilyillustrates a right side elevation view of the flippable device supportand trigger apparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105 positioned inthe upright position in front of the handle 101. FIG. 4E exemplarilyillustrates a left side elevation view of the flippable device supportand trigger apparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105 positioned inthe upright position in front of the handle 101. FIG. 4F exemplarilyillustrates a front elevation view of the flippable device support andtrigger apparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105 positioned in aninverted position above the handle 101. FIG. 4G exemplarily illustratesa top plan view of the flippable device support and trigger apparatus100 a when the cage member 105 is positioned in the inverted position.FIG. 4H exemplarily illustrates a bottom view of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus 100 a when the cage member 105 ispositioned in the inverted position. FIG. 4I exemplarily illustrates aright side elevation view of the flippable device support and triggerapparatus 100 a, showing the cage member 105 positioned in the invertedposition above the handle 101.

The flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a is assembled byinterconnecting different components, for example, the handle 101, theframe member 102, the cage member 105, the triggering assembly 107, andthe push rod assembly 108. The frame member 102 is fastened to theintermediate member 117 that extends from the handle 101 by insertingthe fastening members 119 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, forexample, four flat Allen screws, into the through holes 103 c of theframe member 102 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, and then into thethrough holes 118 of the intermediate member 117 while maintaining thetriggering assembly 107 in position at the notch 111. The triggeringassembly 107 is seated and pivotally connected on the notch 111positioned on the support section 103 of the frame member 102.

The openings 120 a and 120 b of the cage member 105 are aligned with theopenings 122 a and 122 b of the hinge elements 104 a and 104 b that areconnected to the arms 102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102respectively as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3. The tension fasteners121 a and 121 b exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3, are inserted throughthe openings 120 a and 120 b of the cage member 105 and through theopenings 122 a and 122 b of the hinge elements 104 a and 104 brespectively, to pivotally fasten the cage member 105 to the framemember 102. The push rod assembly 108 exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 3,is connected to the handle 101 by inserting the rod member 112 with thepush button 113 through the opening 126 in the handle 101 to communicatewith the trigger section 109 of the triggering assembly 107. The device201 is further fastened in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105using the device fastener 301. In an embodiment, each component of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a is manufactured,for example, by computer numerical control (CNC) machining from billetor extrusion, cast from metals, or can be injection molded fromplastics. The dimensions of the flippable device support and triggerapparatus 100 a in the upright position is, for example, about 6.5inches×5.5 inches×3 inches. The dimensions of the flippable devicesupport and trigger apparatus 100 a in the flipped or inverted positionis, for example, about 8 inches×7 inches×3 inches.

FIGS. 5A-5B exemplarily illustrate left side perspective views of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a, showing actuationof the triggering assembly 107 of the flippable device support andtrigger apparatus 100 a for actuating an activation button 202 of adevice 201 positioned in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 in anupright position in front of the handle 101. A user tightens the twotension fasteners 121 a and 121 b to position the cage member 105 in theupright position under tension at the arms 102 a and 102 b of the framemember 102. The device 201, for example, a GoPro® camera, is powered onand accommodated in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 andfastened therein using the device fastener 301 exemplarily illustratedin FIG. 3, such that a tip 110 a of the actuation section 110 of thetriggering assembly 107 is proximal to the activation button 202 of thedevice 201. As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 5A, the trigger section109 of the triggering assembly 107 is pulled in a backward direction asexemplarily illustrated by the direction of the block arrow shownproximal to the trigger section 109 in FIG. 5A, for example, using theindex finger of one hand of the user, to provide leverage for theactuation section 110 pivotally connected to the trigger section 109 tomove in a downward direction as exemplarily illustrated by the directionof the block arrow shown proximal to the actuation section 110 in FIG.5A. The movement of the actuation section 110 in the downward directionallows the tip 110 a of the actuation section 110 to make contact withthe activation button 202 of the device 201 as exemplarily illustratedin FIG. 5B. The change in position of the triggering assembly 107 priorto and after the pull of the trigger section 109 of the triggeringassembly 107 by the user's index finger is exemplarily illustrated inFIG. 5B. The activation button 202 of the device 201 is thereforepressed in a downward direction by the tip 110 a of the actuationsection 110 to trigger the device 201 to capture a still image and/or amoving image or video of an object or an environment in front of theuser.

FIGS. 6A-6B exemplarily illustrate left side elevation views of theflippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a, showing actuationof the triggering assembly 107 for actuating an activation button 202 ofa device 201 positioned in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 inan inverted position above the handle 101. In an example, when a userwants to capture self portrait still images and/or moving images orvideos of one's self in an environment using the device 201, forexample, a GoPro® camera, the user loosens the two tension fasteners 121a and 121 b to release the tension from the cage member 105 to allow thecage member 105 to be pivotally rotated and repositioned with respect tothe frame member 102 in a flipped or inverted position. As exemplarilyillustrated by the block arrow shown proximal to the push button 113 ofthe push rod assembly 108 in FIG. 6A, the user pushes the push button113 of the push rod assembly 108, for example, using the thumb of onehand, to allow the end 112 b of the rod member 112 of the push rodassembly 108 to move in a forward direction as exemplarily illustratedby the block arrow shown proximal to the trigger section 109 of thetriggering assembly 107 in FIG. 6A, to contact the trigger section 109as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6B. As exemplarily illustrated by theblock arrows in FIG. 6B, the trigger section 109 actuates the actuationsection 110 of the triggering assembly 107 to press the activationbutton 202 of the device 201. The actuation section 110 pivotallyconnected to the trigger section 109 moves in a generally upwarddirection as exemplarily illustrated by the direction of the block arrowshown proximal to the actuation section 110 in FIG. 6A. The change inposition of the triggering assembly 107 prior to and after the push ofthe push button 113 of the push rod assembly 108 by the user's thumb isexemplarily illustrated in FIG. 6B. Since the user is standing behindthe flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a, the device201, for example, the camera mounted in the flipped or inverted cagemember 105 faces the user to allow the user to capture a self portraitstill image and/or moving image or video. The triggering assembly 107 ofthe flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a provides asingle pivot point trigger or shutter activation mechanism for the lensof the camera.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B and FIGS. 6A-6B, the structureof the flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 a enablesplacement of the device 201 in front of the hand that holds the handle101; provides the triggering assembly 107 that acts as a single pivotpoint trigger or button activation mechanism that can be activated fromeither one or two positions by one hand; and a hinged or pivotalconnection of the cage member 105 to the frame member 102 that allowsthe device 201, for example, a camera to pivot and be activated in oneor two positions, for example, the upright position and/or the invertedposition by one hand. In an embodiment, the flippable device support andtrigger apparatus 100 a allows positioning of the cage member 105 at anyangle with respect to the frame member 102 in one of multiple positionsto enable the user to capture still images and/or moving images of oneor more objects or an environment from any angle.

FIGS. 7A-7B exemplarily illustrate perspective views of an embodimentshowing a non-flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 b. Inthis embodiment, the non-flippable device support and trigger apparatus100 b comprises the handle 101, frame member 102, the cage member 105,and the triggering assembly 107. The cage member 105 of thenon-flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 b is rigidlyconnected to the arms 102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102 in anupright position in front of the handle 101, using tension fasteners 127a and 127 b. The tension fasteners 127 a and 127 b are tightened to holdthe cage member 105 in the upright position under a tension at the arms102 a and 102 b of the frame member 102. The cage member 105accommodates a device 201 in the upright position as exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 7B, to allow a user to capture still images and/ormoving images or videos of objects or an environment in front of theuser.

As exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7B, the device 201, for example, theGoPro® camera is mounted into the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 7A, and secured in position by insertingand tightening the device fastener 301 or the knob into a bottomthreaded portion 105 d of the cage member 105. The handle 101 is held inone hand of the user and the triggering assembly 107 is pulled using anindex finger of the same hand. The operation of the triggering assembly107 comprising the trigger section 109 and the actuation section 110 toactuate the activation button 202 of the device 201 in the uprightposition is disclosed in the detailed description of FIGS. 5A-5B. Thetriggering assembly 107 pivotally moves within the notch 111 of theframe member 102 to contact and depress the activation button 202 of thedevice 201 to click still images and/or moving images or videos ofobjects or an environment in front of the user.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for triggering a device 201 exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 7B, in an upright position using one hand. Anon-flippable device support and trigger apparatus 100 b comprising thehandle 101, the frame member 102, the cage member 105, and thetriggering assembly 107 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, isprovided 801. The device 201 is positioned 802 in the receptacle 106 ofthe cage member 105 in an upright position in front of the handle 101. Auser using one hand pulls 803 the trigger section 109 of the triggeringassembly 107 to bring the actuation section 110 of the triggeringassembly 107 in contact with the activation button 202 of the device 201positioned in the receptacle 106 of the cage member 105 in the uprightposition in front of the handle 101. The actuation section 110 actuates804 the activation button 202 of the device 201 to trigger the device201 to capture still images and/or moving images or videos of objects oran environment in front of the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for triggering a device 201 exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, in an upright position and an invertedposition using one hand. A flippable device support and triggerapparatus 100 a comprising the handle 101, the frame member 102, thecage member 105, the triggering assembly 107, and the push rod assembly108 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 1A-6B, is provided 901. Thedevice 201 is accommodated 902 in the receptacle 106 of the cage member105. The cage member 105 with the accommodated device 201 is positioned903 in an upright position in front of the handle 101 to position theaccommodated device 201 in the upright position in front of the handle101. A user using one hand pulls 904 the trigger section 109 of thetriggering assembly 107 to bring the actuation section 110 of thetriggering assembly 107 in contact with the activation button 202 of theaccommodated device 201 in the upright position in front of the handle101. The actuation section 110 actuates 905 the activation button 202 ofthe accommodated device 201 in the upright position in front of thehandle 101 to trigger the accommodated device 201 in the uprightposition in front of the handle 101 to capture still images and/ormoving images or videos of objects or an environment in front of theuser. The cage member 105 is pivotally rotated 906 to the invertedposition above the handle 101 to position the accommodated device 201 inthe inverted position above the handle 101. The user presses the pushbutton 113 of the push rod assembly 108 using one hand to push 907 thetrigger section 109 of the triggering assembly 107 to bring theactuation section 110 of the triggering assembly 107 in contact with theactivation button 202 of the accommodated device 201 in the invertedposition above the handle 101. The actuation section 110 actuates 908the activation button 202 of the accommodated device 201 in the invertedposition above the handle 101 to trigger the accommodated device 201 inthe inverted position above the handle 101 to capture still imagesand/or moving images or videos of one's self in an environment.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose ofexplanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the presentinvention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described withreference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, whichhave been used herein, are words of description and illustration, ratherthan words of limitation. Further, although the invention has beendescribed herein with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having thebenefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerousmodifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

We claim:
 1. A device support and trigger apparatus comprising: ahandle; a frame member fixedly attached to an upper end of said handle,said frame member comprising a support section and arms, said armsextending from opposing ends of said support section; a cage memberpivotally connected to said arms of said frame member, said cage membercomprising a receptacle configured to accommodate a device, said cagemember configured to be positioned at a predefined angle with respect tosaid frame member and pivotally rotated to one of a plurality ofpositions to position said device in said one of said positions, saidpositions comprising an upright position in front of said handle and aninverted position above said handle; a triggering assembly configured tooperably communicate with said device accommodated in said receptacle ofsaid cage member, said triggering assembly comprising a trigger sectionand an actuation section, said trigger section pivotally connected tosaid actuation section at a notch positioned on said support section ofsaid frame member, said actuation section extending above saidreceptacle of said cage member and configured to contact an activationbutton of said device, and said trigger section configured to be pulledusing one hand to bring said actuation section in contact with saidactivation button of said device to actuate said activation button ofsaid device when said cage member with said accommodated device ispositioned in said upright position in front of said handle; and a pushrod assembly comprising: a rod member inserted through an opening insaid handle to contact said trigger section of said triggering assembly;and a push button operably connected to a distal end of said rod member,said push button configured to push said trigger section of saidtriggering assembly via said rod member when pressed using said one handto bring said actuation section of said triggering assembly in contactwith said activation button of said device to actuate said activationbutton of said device when said cage member with said accommodateddevice is positioned in said inverted position above said handle.
 2. Thedevice support and trigger apparatus of claim 1, wherein said handlecomprises a handle frame, a first segment, and a second segment, whereinsaid first segment and said second segment are adjoined to each otherwithin a space defined in said handle frame.
 3. The device support andtrigger apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate memberfixedly attached to and extending from said handle, wherein saidintermediate member comprises one or more through holes to fixedlyattach to said frame member using one or more fastening members.
 4. Thedevice support and trigger apparatus of claim 1, wherein said framemember is of a generally U shape.
 5. The device support and triggerapparatus of claim 1, wherein said cage member is of a generally Ushape.
 6. The device support and trigger apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid cage member comprises at least two openings configured to bepivotally connected to said arms of said frame member using at least twotension fasteners, wherein said at least two tension fasteners aretightened to hold said cage member in said one of said positions under atension at said arms of said frame member, and wherein said at least twotension fasteners are loosened to release said tension from said cagemember and allow said pivotal rotation and repositioning of said cagemember with respect to said frame member.
 7. The device support andtrigger apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receptacle of said cagemember is configured in one of a plurality of shapes and sizes toaccommodate said device of one of different shapes and sizes.
 8. Amethod for positioning and triggering a device in one of a plurality ofpositions using one hand, said method comprising: providing a devicesupport and trigger apparatus comprising: a handle, said handleconfigured to be held in said one hand; a frame member fixedly attachedto an upper end of said handle, said frame member comprising a supportsection and arms, said arms extending from opposing ends of said supportsection; a cage member pivotally connected to said arms of said framemember, said cage member comprising a receptacle configured toaccommodate said device, said cage member configured to be positioned ata predefined angle with respect to said frame member and pivotallyrotated to one of a plurality of positions to position said device insaid one of said positions, said positions comprising an uprightposition in front of said handle and an inverted position above saidhandle; a triggering assembly configured to operably communicate withsaid device accommodated in said receptacle of said cage member, saidtriggering assembly comprising a trigger section and an actuationsection, said trigger section pivotally connected to said actuationsection at a notch positioned on said support section of said framemember, said actuation section extending above said receptacle of saidcage member and configured to contact an activation button of saiddevice; and a push rod assembly comprising: a rod member insertedthrough an opening in said handle to contact said trigger section ofsaid triggering assembly; and a push button operably connected to adistal end of said rod member; accommodating said device in saidreceptacle of said cage member of said device support and triggerapparatus; positioning said cage member with said accommodated device insaid upright position in front of said handle to position saidaccommodated device in said upright position in front of said handle;pulling said trigger section of said triggering assembly of said devicesupport and trigger apparatus using said one hand to bring saidactuation section of said triggering assembly in contact with saidactivation button of said accommodated device in said upright positionin front of said handle; actuating said activation button of saidaccommodated device in said upright position in front of said handle bysaid actuation section of said triggering assembly to trigger saidaccommodated device in said upright position in front of said handle;pivotally rotating said cage member to said inverted position above saidhandle to position said accommodated device in said inverted positionabove said handle; pushing said trigger section of said triggeringassembly by pressing said push button of said push rod assembly of saiddevice support and trigger apparatus using said one hand to bring saidactuation section of said triggering assembly in contact with saidactivation button of said accommodated device in said inverted positionabove said handle; and actuating said activation button of saidaccommodated device in said inverted position above said handle by saidactuation section of said triggering assembly to trigger saidaccommodated device in said inverted position above said handle.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said frame member of said device support andtrigger apparatus is of a generally U shape, and wherein said cagemember of said device support and trigger apparatus is of a generally Ushape.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said cage member of saiddevice support and trigger apparatus further comprises at least twoopenings configured to be pivotally connected to said arms of said framemember using at least two tension fasteners, wherein said at least twotension fasteners are tightened to hold said cage member in said one ofsaid positions under a tension at said arms of said frame member, andwherein said at least two tension fasteners are loosened to release saidtension from said cage member and allow said pivotal rotation andrepositioning of said cage member with respect to said frame member.